Do the normal steps during combat (declare attackers/blockers etc) still happen when there are no attackers declared?
Asked by Daedalus19876 8 years ago
I am constructing an EDH deck around Zada, Hedron Grinder. However, I have a few minor questions around Chaotic Strike. First, if no creatures are declared as attacking, does the Declare Blockers step still occur (and thus can I cast it after that)? Second, can I cast it if no blockers were declared (let's assume I attacked with a creature)?
Daedalus19876 says... #2
Thank you very much, sir. I appreciate the clarification.
Epochalyptik says... Accepted answer #1
If no creatures attack, then the combat phase skips to the end of combat step.
506.1. The combat phase has five steps, which proceed in order: beginning of combat, declare attackers, declare blockers, combat damage, and end of combat. The declare blockers and combat damage steps are skipped if no creatures are declared as attackers or put onto the battlefield attacking (see rule 508.4). There are two combat damage steps if any attacking or blocking creature has first strike (see rule 702.7) or double strike (see rule 702.4).
If at least one creature attacks, then the game will proceed to the declare blockers step. If no creatures block, then blockers (the permutation of blockers, which, in this case, is none) have been declared. You are able to cast Chaotic Strike at this time.
October 8, 2015 6:26 p.m.